🌱 Bisterfeldt Passing + Birds Of Prey Expansion + Author Update

Happy Sunday, neighbors! Here's everything you need to know to get this day started. Here's everything going on today in Boise.

The Boise Daily opens Sunday with the news of the death of Vern Bisterfeldt, former Ada County Commissioner and Boise City Council member. The World Center Birds of Prey is seeing some major upgrades and Gerald Pizzuto has been ordered off death row. One of Idaho's youngest authors is finding fame and a law is being changed to allow spouses and children of those dying in training to be eligible for college benefits.

First, today's weather:

Sunshine, but chilly. High: 39 Low: 27.

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Here are the top stories today in Boise:

1. Former Ada County Commissioner and Boise City Council Member Vern Bisterfeldt died Friday. BoiseDev editor Don Day looks at Bisterfeldt's seven decades of public service starting in 1959 with the Boise Police Department. (boisedev)
2. The World Center for Birds of Prey is going through a $3.2 million expansion and on Friday, supporters gathered to celebrate the milestone. CBS2 news staff joined the celebration where over 500,000 students have visited since the center's opening. (Idaho News)
3. An Idaho judge has over ruled the Idaho governor and ordered convicted murderer Gerald Pizzuto be spared the death penalty. Pizzuto was previously provided clemency by the Idaho Commission of Pardons and Parole before Governor Brad Little denied the clemency in late December. On Friday, according to KTVB-TV's Katie Terhune, Second District Court Judge JayGaskill wrote that the Idaho Constitution does not give the governor the power to make that decision. (KTVB)
4. The Boise Daily let followers know about Dillon Helbig, author extraordinaire, a few weeks ago. KIDO-AM's Mateo provides an update on the budding writer, including a long waitlist if you wish to read the book and national fame after the story went viral. (kidotalkradio)
5. In a story written by the Associated Press and carried by KIVI-TV, the Idaho Legislature is pushing through a bill that would change the law to make the spouses and children of Idaho military personnel or public safety officers killed during training eligible for college scholarships. (kivitv)

Boise Fact of the Day

Eight prison residents are under the sentence of death in Idaho. Seven of the residents are men. They are incarcerated at Idaho Maximum Security Institution south of Boise. The one female under sentence of death, Robin Row, is incarcerated at Pocatello Women’s Correctional Center in Pocatello. Three executions have occurred since Idaho enacted a new death penalty statute in 1977.

From my notebook:

• Boise Little Theater: "Read about "flirtatious beauty" Katie Shuter Rompala as Belinda Blair playing Flavia Brent in "Noises Off" by Michael Frayn in this article by Shasta Ockerberg in "Boise Lifestyle Magazine". (Instagram)
• Boise State Public Radio: "Sen. Steven Thayn appeared in an interview Thursday with Wayne Hoffman, president of the far-right lobbying group, the Idaho Freedom Foundation over Facebook." (Facebook)
• Boise State Public Radio: "The Mountain West has long been plagued with poor cell service and even worse internet access, often putting telehealth out of reach." (Facebook)
• Idaho Botanical Garden: "New Blog Post: Cut Flower Care: Insider Secrets to Longer-Lasting Cut Flowers Just in time for everyone buying Valentine's Day flowers, this blog is all about how to keep those flowers fresh and beautiful." (Facebook)
• Nextdoor Neighbor, Collister: "Hey Everyone! - I am currently a junior student at Carrington College here in Boise for Dental Hygiene. I am reaching out to anyone who would like to be a patient starting February 22, 2022 and through the rest of my school year." (Nextdoor)

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Thanks for following along and staying informed! I'll be in your inbox tomorrow morning with another update.

— John Braese

About me: Welcome to the Boise edition of patch.com. I am the community editor in this exciting endeavor for the Boise area. I was born and grew up in Boise, attending Bishop Kelly High School before graduating from Borah High School more than a few years ago. I have seen Boise grow substantially in the last few years, but still maintain my hometown appeal. I want to hear about what is important to you and the stories you wish to see on patch.com. Feel free to reach out to me via email at john.braese@patch.com or drop me a phone call or text at 208 954-9585.